Cherbourg women's shelter receives $1 million upgrade

ONE million dollars worth of upgrades has transformed a Cherbourg women's shelter into a safe place for domestic violence victims.

The establishment of a new shelter in Cherbourg will better protect women and children in the community who are experiencing domestic and family violence.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the Palaszczuk Government acted on the $1 million upgrade works after identifying the previous women's safe house wasn't up to scratch.

"The replacement of this shelter was a commitment under our Queensland Housing Strategy 2017-2020 Action Plan, which includes a plan to replace shelters in the remote and discrete communities of Pormpuraaw, Woorabinda and Cherbourg," he said.

"After signing a 30-year lease with Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council to take over an existing, under-utilised building, we then set about delivering $1 million in upgrade works to transform the property."

The new shelter features improved kitchen and laundry facilities, air-conditioners, security screens and fencing as well as outdoor recreational spaces and a children's play area.

Forty local jobs were supported during the upgrade works with the majority of contractors secured from nearby towns including Murgon, Wondai and Kingaroy.

Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Jackie Trad said the shelter would provide safe accommodation and support for up to four women and their children every night.

"When women make the brave decision to leave a violent relationship, we need to make sure they have somewhere to go to and they get the support they need," she said.

Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer said the government was working to deliver more shelters in Queensland during 2019.

"Shelters are critically important to help support women and their children who have made the courageous decision to escape violent homes by offering a safe place to stay and the support they all need to rebuild their lives," she said.